Biomedical electrode

Abstract

A biomedical electrode comprised of an electrical terminal member, an ionically conductive layer, a retainer sheet and a medical tape is provided. The base of the electrical terminal member is disposed between the retainer sheet and the ionically conductive layer so that the retainer sheet prevents dislodging of the terminal member upon connection and disconnection of a lead wire.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A biomedical electrode comprising: a. an electrical terminal member comprising a base having upper and lower surfaces and a post integral with said upper surface of said base and extending thereof, said post presenting an exposed surface adapted for direct physical and for electrical connection to a lead wire of an electromedical device;   b. an ionically conductive layer in physical and electrical contact with the entire lower surface of said base and extending peripherally beyond said base; and   c. a conformable retainer sheet having upper and lower major surfaces bound together by an edge surface, having a surface area and shape larger than that of the terminal base, and having an aperture therethrough receiving and surrounding the post, the aperture being spaced apart from the edge surface and dimensioned with a perimeter larger than the largest perimeter of the post and smaller than the largest perimeter of the base such that a portion of the lower surface of the retainer sheet contacts the upper surface of the base and the remainder of the lower surface the retainer sheet contacts the portion of the ionically conductive layer extending peripherally beyond the base to positionally confine said electrical terminal member between said retainer sheet and said ionically conductive layer; and   d. a medical tape comprising a backing and a pressure sensitive adhesive coating on at least one major surface thereof, the tape having an aperture therethrough receiving and surrounding said post, the aperture being dimensioned with a perimeter larger than the largest perimeter of the post and smaller than the perimeter of the retainer sheet, a portion of the adhesive-coated surface being adhered to the upper surface of the retainer sheet and the remaining portion of the adhesive-coated surface extending beyond the peripheral edges of the retainer sheet and the ionically conductive layer to assist in securing the electrode to skin.   
     
     
       2. The electrode according to claim 1 further comprising a conformable electrically-conductive metal or metallized layer having a surface area and shape larger than that of the lower surface of the base and having an aperture therethrough, the aperture surrounding the post and being spaced away from the edges of the metal layer or metalized layer and dimensioned with a perimeter larger than the largest perimeter of the post and smaller than the perimeter of the base, the metal layer or metallized layer being disposed between said retainer sheet and said upper surface of said base and extending beyond the periphery of the base, the conformable metal or metallized layer being in direct electrical contact with the upper surface of the base and the ionically conductive layer. 
     
     
       3. The electrode according to claim 2 wherein said terminal member comprises a metal or metallized member and wherein said metal or metallized layer comprises the same metal as the comprising the terminal which the layer contacts at the upper surface of its base. 
     
     
       4. The electrode of claim 2 wherein said conformable electrically-conductive metal or metallized layer is adhered to said retainer sheet. 
     
     
       5. The electrode according to claim 2 wherein said metal or metallized layer consists essentially of silver. 
     
     
       6. The electrode according to claim 5 wherein said retainer sheet is comprised of a polyester material. 
     
     
       7. The electrode according to claim 1 wherein the ionically conductive layer comprises a pressure sensitive, electrically-conductive adhesive.